[ad. L. addictiōn-em, n. of action f. addīc-ĕre; see ADDICT.]
1. Rom. Law. A formal giving over or delivery by sentence of court. Hence, A surrender, or dedication, of any one to a master.
1625. T. Godwin, Rom. Antiq., 170. The forme of Addiction was thus … the party which preuailed, laid his hand on the thing or the person against which sentence was pronounced vsing this forme of words, Hunc ego hominem siue hanc rem ex iure Quiritium meam esse dico.
1735. Bp. Patrick, On Exodus xx. 6. Look upon it only as a solemn Addiction of him to his Master’s Service.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Adjudication is more particularly used for the addiction, or consigning a thing sold by auction, or the like, to the highest bidder.
1880. Muirhead, Gaius, iii. § 189. Whether this addiction made him a slave … was a point of controversy with the old lawyers.
2. The state of being (self-) addicted or given to a habit or pursuit; devotion.
1641. Vind. Smectym., ii. 43. The peoples … more willing addiction to hearing.
1675. E. Phillips, in Shaks. Cent. Praise, 360. His own proper Industry and Addiction to Books.
1779. Johnson, L. P., Philips, Wks. II. 291. His addiction to tobacco is mentioned by one of his biographers.
1789. T. Jefferson, Writings (1859), II. 585. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.
1858. Gladstone, Stud. Homer, I. 237. Their addiction to agricultural pursuits.
1859. Mill, Liberty, 146. A man who causes grief to his family by addiction to bad habits.
† 3. The way in which one is addicted; inclination, bent, leaning, penchant. Also in pl. Obs.
1604. Shaks., Oth., II. ii. 6. Each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him.
1634. Peacham, Compl. Gentlem., iv. 34/2. For every man to search into the addiction of his Genius, and not to wrest nature.
1675. in Phil. Trans., X. 255. The genius, faculties, addictions, and humors of men of all ages.
